Letters Boost Winter Springs Manager

WINTER SPRINGS — City Manager Dick Rozansky, whose authority has been under attack by a newly elected city commissioner, this week received letters expressing confidence from those working for him.

Rozansky said he received on Thursday the five letters signed by employees from five departments. He said he did not know who had initiated the move. City staff members would not comment on who came up with the idea.

''I think it was a nice gesture and I consider it like a personal letter,'' said Rozansky. ''It said something like 'I like you and I appreciate you,' that's all. They said that I dealt fairly with them.''

Commissioner Cindy Kaehler, who has publicly questioned Rozansky's authority since he fired planner Peter Cowell last month, was the only commissioner to criticize the letters.

''I think this is just another weak sign and he should have put a stop to it,'' said Kaehler, whose proposal two weeks ago to annually review the manager's performance was not supported by colleagues. ''It's not fair to the employees. He signs their paycheck. They're going to sign it whether they want to or not.''

Rozansky said it was ''immaterial'' whether an employee signed the letter, and ''I'm not going to find out'' who didn't sign it.

City Engineer Len Kozlov said he signed the ''list in support of the city manager out of personal consciousness.'' He said there was no ''coercion'' to sign it.

Finance Director Harry Martin said he signed the letter only ''because I was misled at the time of what was going to happen.'' He would not comment further.

City clerk Mary Norton said she was handed the letter by Rozansky's secretary, and signed it.

Commissioners Phil Kulbes and Bill Jacobs said the letters were not necessary, but were a nice show of support for the manager. Kulbes added, however, that it is ''a little difficult for those who don't sign the letter.''

Commissioner Marty Trencher, who said the letters appeared to be an outpouring of the employees' support for Rozansky's team effort, said it is up to Rozansky, the chief administrator, to decide whether letters of this type should circulate.

Commissioner Art Hoffmann said he does not think the choice of not signing the letter ''reflects on the individual at all.''